The scent of blood still lingered on Shi Yao's hands as he made his way through the dense forest, the body of the slain wolf far behind him. His steps were slow but deliberate, his eyes scanning the narrow path ahead with practiced wariness.
The sound of creaking wheels and hoofbeats echoed through the trees. Rounding a bend, Shi Yao came upon a horse-drawn carriage. Several men lounged atop it and around it, weapons resting lazily in their hands, their eyes sharp with ill intent.
A short man, no taller than five feet, stepped forward. His lips curled in a crooked grin as he blocked Shi Yao's path.
["Young man, don't you think it's dangerous walking alone in a forest like this?"] His voice was low and gravelly, almost like a growl. ["How about you come with us? Of course, there's a small protection fee. Just a little something for your safety."]
Shi Yao stopped. His gaze, icy and unflinching, locked onto the man's eyes.
["A protection fee, huh?"] His tone was cold and flat. ["How about you pay me the protection fee, and I'll keep you alive?"]
The bandits tensed. Behind the short one, a towering bald man stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. Veins bulged along his forearms. His presence was suffocating to a normal person.
["You've got guts, brat,"] the bald man said, his voice like grinding stone. ["Name's Lu Li. Repeat that nonsense again, and I'll smash your mouth in."]
Shi Yao's gaze flickered slightly as he analyzed their auras — Qi Refinement Layer Four, every one of them. Trash.
He repeated himself without hesitation, his tone sharper this time:
["I said you should pay me the protection fee. I'll protect you."]
Lu Li's patience snapped. With a furious roar, he lunged forward, his fist like a boulder crashing toward Shi Yao's chest.
Shi Yao didn't move — he merely lifted his hand and flicked his middle finger forward.
Crack!
A resounding boom shook the forest. Lu Li's body flew backwards like a ragdoll, crashing through tree after tree until he vanished from sight, the sound of splintering wood trailing after him.
The remaining bandits froze, their bravado instantly evaporating.
Shi Yao stepped forward, his eyes glinting with calm menace.
["I'll say this once. Drop everything you have. Or you'll end up like him."]
Panic erupted. Weapons clattered to the ground as the bandits scrambled to obey. One tossed a bag of coins, another offered a robe, and a third shakily handed over a glittering ring.
A while later, Shi Yao stood alone, now clad in a dark gray robe that covered his bare chest. He held the ring up to the light, eyes narrowing.
["So this is a storage ring..."] he muttered. ["Formed by compressing space inside. Like a small world on your finger."]
He poured his spiritual sense into it. Rows of items shimmered into view — weapons, food supplies, assorted junk… and over ten thousand gold coins.
["Looks like these bastards have been busy. Robbing every traveler who passed."] A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
An hour later, Shi Yao stepped back into the village. The familiar houses greeted him with quiet stillness. He approached the modest wooden home he shared with his sister, pushed open the door—and froze.
Li Rong sat inside, curled up on the floor, her shoulders trembling with every quiet sob. Her eyes were red, her cheeks wet with tears.
When she turned and saw him, she gasped. Her body moved before her mind could catch up.
["Brother..."] she whispered, then ran to him, throwing her arms around his waist, holding him like he might vanish again. ["Don't go. Please… don't go."]
Shi Yao stood stunned for a moment, then slowly brought his arms around her, embracing her tightly. He could feel her shaking.
["Why are you crying?"] he asked softly.
Li Rong hiccupped, her voice breaking between words.
["A week ago… Li Wuji came home b-battered and b-bruised. He said… he said you were attacked by a Foundation Establishment stage beast… and that you fell from the mountain and died..."]
Shi Yao's heart sank, not with sorrow—but with understanding. She had thought she lost him. Again. And he—he wasn't even her real brother. Not truly.
But the warmth of her arms, the pain in her eyes—these were real.
He placed a hand on her head gently.
["Hey. I know you're hurting. But I'm back now, aren't I?"] His voice was soft. ["So stop crying in front of your brother. It hurts me too."]
It took time, but his calm reassurances eventually lulled her into sleep. He carried her to her bed, covered her with a thin blanket, and watched her chest rise and fall in steady rhythm.
Then, at last, he returned to his own room. The moonlight filtered through the cracks in the wall, casting pale lines across the floor. Shi Yao lay on the thin mat, staring up at the ceiling.
["This world..."] he whispered. ["It's cruel. But... it's starting to feel real."]
His eyes slowly closed. The first peaceful sleep he'd had in weeks finally came.